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The massive funding boost meant the business could take its product to the market as a self-funded entity.

"We're now in a pretty strong position not having to give up as much of the company. If we were to try and raise US$140,000 from scratch just off the idea or business plan, most likely we'd have had to give up 51 per cent of the company."

Backers do not get shares in the company, but are given rewards ranging from a thank - you video for people putting forward small amounts to clothing packages for backers pledging US$79 or more.

Most backers were in the 25-40-year old age bracket and 98 per cent had pledged enough money that they were effectively pre-purchasing items of clothing.

Simpson said it had been a "hectic" few weeks getting ready to start manufacturing clothes to send out those people.

Clothing retailers had already started getting in touch but Opus would not be looking to start selling in stores until later this year.

"We've heard from a lot of people who want to stock it but our sole focus at the moment is delivering to backers."

Most of the clothing line - which includes base layer tops, coats and jerseys - will be manufactured in Silverdale, north of Auckland.

Crowdfunding websites raised US$2.7 billion worldwide last year, an 81 per cent increase on 2011, according to a study conducted by research firm Massolution.

The most well-known New Zealand example of crowdfunding took place when film director Taika Waititi raised US$110,000 to help pay for the US distribution of his 2010 film, Boy.